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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 160

If this is your first SOC post, I write these particular posts more or less as a stream of consciousness. Proper grammar, spelling and logic are occasional.

It’s been more than a year since last I posted.

It’s not because I’ve flaked. I just didn’t have anything to say. After all, I’d blogged for 10 years…a virtual eternity in the blogosphere. My reason for stopping was Gumpian. He said, “One day, I just stopped running.”

One day, I just stopped writing. Today, I started again.

I don’t know if/how/when I’ll keep writing, but I’ve decided to keep the blog live for the next year. My current plan is to write some, podcast some and post it here. When I do, I’ll make sure it’s posted on iTunes, etc. So you can subscribe if you’d like.

2018 was Dickensian – “Best of times, worst of times,” kind of year. I won’t bore you with the details. That was then, this is 2019

The government remains closed. If it weren’t for the media, 99% of us wouldn’t notice. For the sake of federal workers, I hope it ends soon.

But, it is a reminder that people make things happen in this country, not just the elites.

Some adults never leave Junior High in how they treat the people around them. Inasmuch as it depends on you, honor your relationships with all people.

New Vintage Church had a banner year in 2018. It was also the most challenging of our existence in many ways. But, God has seen us through.

In addition to partnering with God to change the lives of people, we’ve been up to this. It’s going to be so positive for our church, our city, and the spiritual climate of Escondido.

But, 2018 was also a year in which I made some of my biggest leadership mistakes. Or at least, I realized I had made them sometime before.

Reflecting on our mistakes (not dwelling) is helpful. Hindsight is 20/20, but reflection also helps you see better going forward.

My eyes are getting worse. They still test at 20/20. But, they used to be better than that. I can tell the difference at night and in the small things. Soon, Father glasses will come for me. Bleh.

I decided 2018 would the year I read “less.” Meaning, I wouldn’t focus on reading a lot of books, but on reading some of the best books ever written. Less books, more depth. More excellence. Among them were: Don Quixote, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, the Old Man and the Sea, The Prince, A Pilgrim’s Progress, Musashi, the Bible, and others. I absolutely loved it. Sometimes, less is a lot more.

2018 was the also the year of the podcast. During 2019 you will see me wade into the podcast waters.

The Padres have done next to nothing to improve their 66-win team. After something like 8 losing seasons in a row, no World Series’ championships, and rock bottom payroll, I’m starting to think they don’t know what they’re doing :0)

I will never pull for the Chargers. Don’t give me, “I’m pulling for them because I’m pulling for Philip Rivers.” Nah.

I love having daughters. In March, Norah (my youngest) my youngest, will turn 9. My three daughters will be 16, 14, and 9. Wow…their dad must be old. 🙂

It also reminds me of those comments parents used to make: “You’ll blink and they’ll be grown up.” Yep.

The reason so few Christians really grow in their faith, is they are unwilling to do things strong Christians do to become strong—and often blame the church for it. They are like those who resent the gym for their weight issues.

If you want to be healthy, find healthy people–listen to them, and do likewise. Don’t ask Jabba.

In the same way, if you really want to grow in your faith, draw close to people who are deep in their faith and demonstrate it through holiness, relational integrity, and resilience.

And stay.

Why? Because most of the time when you’re struggling, you are responsible for it. And, you take you with you wherever you go. Ask, “What can I do differently? How can God change me for the better? If I took Scripture seriously, what in my life would need to change?”

I’ve decided I want to go back to school in a different field (Business) to bolster my skills. Nothing too fancy or time-consuming, and no career change…just some advanced Executive Education. It’ll make me a better leader.

I’ve always been fascinated with business. I went to an Honors Business and Law magnet for High School, started as a Business major at Pepperdine, and am one of the few pastors I know that regularly reads business books, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, San Diego Business Journal, etc., and Organizational Development literature.

Some pastors could really benefit from deeper theological training. Others (many more) could benefit from even modest training in business. It’s profoundly spiritual, as is all of life.

Scripture I’m dwelling on this week: Psalms 15:3. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

What’s going on with you today?

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Dr. Tim Spivey is Pastor of New Vintage Church in Escondido, California. He is the author of numerous articles and one book, "Jesus: The Powerful Servant." A sought after speaker for events, Tim also serves as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Pepperdine University. Tim serves as a church consultant, and his writings are featured on numerous websites, including: ChurchLeaders.com, Church Executive magazine, Faith Village, Sermon Central, and Giving Rocket.